Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Morbi bridge collapse site, calls for ‘detailed and extensive’ inquiry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Gujarat, visited the site where the suspended bridge collapsed in Morbi, leading to the death of at least 135 people, as per latest figures. 

Modi on Tuesday called for a “detailed and extensive” inquiry into the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy and said its key learnings must be implemented at the earliest. The Prime Minister also met a number of injured victims at the Morbi Civil Hospital.

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Modi, who chaired a high-level meeting here to review the situation, was also briefed on the rescue operation and the assistance provided to the affected families, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.

“The need of the hour is to conduct a detailed and extensive inquiry which will identify all aspects relating to this mishap,” Modi said.

Authorities must stay in touch with the affected families and ensure that they receive all possible help in this tragic hour, he said.

Also Read| PM Modi chairs meeting on Morbi bridge collapse at Gujarat Raj Bhavan

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who holds the minister of state rank, were among those who attended the meeting.

The Indian Army, Navy, as well as NDRF had sent teams to help with the rescue operations. According to officials present, nearly all victims of the tragedy who were earlier missing, have now been accounted for.

Both the Indian as well as Gujarat governments have earlier announced compensation packages for the kin of the deceased. While the PMNRF will give Rs. 2 lakh to each family, the state government will give an ex gratia amount of Rs. 4 lakhs each.

Also Read| 12 family members of Rajkot MP Mohan Kundariya killed in Morbi bridge collapse

On November 14, the Supreme Court of India will hear a PIL to form a judicial committee that will probe into tragedy.

World leaders like Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin have sent messages of condolence regarding the tragedy.